Rukavina proposed a bill that would ban the sale of foreign-made American flags in Minnesota.[6] The bill later passed into law.[7]

In 2009, Rukavina opposed allowing the University of Minnesota to sell beer and wine only in premium seats at TCF Bank Stadium.[8] He insisted that the University alter its policy to sell alcohol to all legal drinkers throughout the stadium, including its own students.[8]

Rukavina was married to Jean and the couple had two children.[15] Rukavina's daughter Ida works for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar.[15] He was friends with late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, who was flying to attend the funeral of Rukavina's father when his plane fatally crashed in October 2002.[15]

In response to his death, GovernorTim Walz said: "There's folks who put their life into serving Minnesota, and Tom Rukavina was one of those".[15] U.S. Senator Klobuchar said that: "Rukavina understood the dignity of hard work, and was a force for Iron Range workers and their families".[15]Minnesota Attorney GeneralKeith Ellison remembered Rukavina as a "friend, public servant, and a fierce defender of working people" on a statement on Twitter.[16]